Two in Oxford

We’re treating ourselves to a night in Oxford.  Arriving at 1pm, we decide to go into Quod for lunch.   I thought it might be full at that time, but it is a large place, so in fact there was plenty of room and we get a table by the window.  There’s also a big terrace at the back, but although the sun is shining it’s not really warm enough to have lunch outside.

It’s an interesting menu, but as we are eating out in the evening as well, we try to be modest.  B has trout salad, which comes with flaked trout rather than fillets, but is otherwise very good. My chicken karahi comes with a mound of rice, raita and a poppadum – OK, not so modest!  This is very tasty, the chicken being a mix of breast and thigh, which brings extra flavour. It’s cumulatively spicy but not over the top.  As we are not driving anywhere, we do indulge with a second bottle of house white (Spanish) at £19 – the prices go up alarmingly after that.  Pleasant, rather than friendly, service.  £78 for two including service.

 Walking around in the afternoon, we stop off at the Folly by the river for a drink. This is a brilliant spot, and must be very busy in good weather.  The restaurant has huge skylights, and there are a number of seats outside. A look at the menu confirms it is pretty interesting – you can even go on a boat ride with a glass of prosecco before your meal! One for another time.

 We’re booked into the Cherwell Boathouse for dinner.  The place is full, and our table is at the back, a little disappointingly.  After we order though, a table by the river becomes free and we ask to move – the cheerful waiter happily obliges us.  It is light for a little longer yet, so this is a nice place to be.

In fact it seems that several tables were booked quite early, perhaps to take advantage of the light, and the place soon becomes much less busy. We start with a kir. None of the starters appeals that much (especially after lunch!), so we skip that and go for the mains. I have the duo of lamb, rump and braised shoulder with potatoes and spinach, the different textures being very appealing.  B has roast duck breast and confit duck leg, with a foam, a puree and kale – also good.

Unusually for us, we then do have dessert.  My banana and pistachio parfait is a bit uninteresting, but B’s “textures of lemon” – posset, meringue ice cream and mousse – is a big hit.  We just have the one bottle of Viognier (it’s been a long day!), and the total is a pretty modest £102 plus tip.